Aug 2019 Jhb West

was blown when I learned more
about the hip hop culture because
what they do is use rhythm and
poetry in a very special way to
address issues in their community.
‘I love hip hop, because it is honest
and that's why people resonate
with this type of music. My music is
honest. It is who I am.'
Unfortunately, her family was
nervous about her becoming a
hip hop artist so she had to study
somatology after school to at least
make a living while pursuing her
dream career. Claudia changed her
family's minds when she started to
make a name for herself. One of the
things that make her stand out in
the music industry is that fact that
she always takes chances.
‘People have a
misconception that
hip hop is noisy and
a bunch of
gibberish.’
'I stepped out of my comfort zone
with every song I recorded on
my recent album. People have a
misconception that hip hop is noisy
and a bunch of gibberish. If that's
the case, I do a bit of a cappella and
people realise that this genre isn't
that bad once you get used to it.'
She has crossed paths with a
lot of interesting people. Claudia
works with Besembos Productions
and is honoured to have met and
worked with Giga, Hooflig, Ixa, Oxijin,
Coenie de Villiers, Whaden Johannes,
DJ Ready D and Hemelbesem.
Originally from George, Claudia fell
in love with Pasella presenter Simon
Witbooi, also known as Hemelbesem,
when she met him at the annual
African Hip-Hop Indaba in Cape
Town. The two love-birds finally got
hitched and moved to Krugersdorp
in 2016. When they aren't working
on new music together, they are
raising their beautiful daughter.
Motherhood hasn't slowed her
down – instead, she is glowing.
Claudia was pregnant when she
recorded her recent album and was
still performing two months before
she gave birth. Her precious baby
has been at her side ever since she
was born.
'She is only 18 months old but she
loves to dance to her mommy's
music. She has helped me grow and
since she came into my life, I have
grown closer to God as well.'
Claudia has always had a soft spot
for children, but since her baby was
born, she feels like a mother to all
children. Through her work at the
ATKV Crescendo, she also helps
children who dream of being in the
music industry.
Through all of this, she found the
time to be a MUD ambassador and
to write a blog for Rooi Rose during
her entire pregnancy. Right now, she
is also an activist for women.
'Women should help build up other
women. There are a few different
issues which I raise while addressing
women and the youth. The general
message I want to give women is
that everything you need is already
inside you. This message is powerful
because once you realise this, you
won't be searching for acceptance
in the wrong places. Women carry a
big responsibility in the way Mother
Earth functions. The whole world
will be a better place if we all knew
what our value is.'
Before meeting her hubby, she was
searching for acceptance in the
wrong places and was stuck in an
emotionally abusive relationship for
two years.
'I didn't understand why it
happened or why I didn't leave
earlier, but at least I got out. There
are a lot of other women in the
same painful situation and I want
to give them hope. I will be raising a
lot more awareness on this topic in
the future.'
After their break-up, she had to build
herself back up again. During this
time, her family and friends were
her rock.
'I have friends that have been with
me since as far back as preschool.
My friends and my mother are
always there for me and they are
my anchor when things get tough.
Family and friends are what keep
me going.'
Claudia might seem larger than life
but she is a down to earth mother
and wife who enjoys cooking for
her family, cleaning the house and
getting creative with a brush and
a canvas. In the next 10 years, she
hopes to become a much better
painter and be the best of the best
in the music industry.
'One day, I will get on stage
and the crowd will be so big that
there won't be space for a single
extra person.'
She has done more in 26 years
than most people do in a lifetime.
Claudia's boldness is contagious
and her future is big and bright.
We look forward to watching her
change the world over the next
few years.
Moedertaal is available at Musica, all
digital platforms or can be ordered
from Besembos Productions. Details:
078 246 5799 or info@besembos.co.za
/ yoma@besembos.co.za or follow her
on Facebook, YOMA.
Short & sweet:
1. If you could share the stage
with anyone, who would you
choose? Singer, songwriter and
rapper Lauryn Hill.
2. What is your guilty
pleasure? Whiskey and a good
red wine.
3. What are your pet peeves?
I love my husband dearly but I
dispise the way he stirs coffee
because the sugar never
dissolves. I also can’t stand it
when people are dishonest.
4. What do you always have
with you when you leave
the house? It might sound
superficial, but I can’t leave the
house without my cellphone!
5. What would you do if you
won R1 million tomorrow? I’d
be disappointed because it’s so
little money. Haha, I’m joking
... When I get any amount of
money and all my needs are
met, I always think of who
needs a blessing.
August 2019 Get It Joburg West 15